Sex of the Baby Responses

I wanted to post all the responses I've been getting somewhere, so I'm putting them here! Some are from facebook, some emails, and then see the comments on the post below 'Sex of the Baby'. I will try to work up a percentage of how many people think it's what, but the more popular answer has definitely been a girl! It's not to late to post your opinion - let me know! Thank you so much for all your wonderful responses. We're so blessed and I love you all.

Jeanne Robinson (sister in law):
Tara, I think it's a boy:) I'm excited to find out!! I'll try to post on your blog too...

Rebecca Anderson (friend):
How exciting Tara!
I'm going to guess that you are having a...girl...
It's been fun seeing the progression of your journey on your blog.
Many blessings,
Rebecca

George Gatseos II (Papoulli - ie: grandpa!:
Thanks Tara for your e-mail and blog. I finally figured out and got on as a follower. I had saved your site as a link on my Desktop and have enjoyed it. But now I am officially a follower.
I could not find the poll on baby gender/ but I OBSTAIN AND JUST WANT TO SAY EITHER SEX IS FINE WITH ME AND I AM THRILLED WITH THE BLESSING! BUT I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO CHECKING OUT THE COLOR ON THE WEBSITE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. Knowing the sex will allow me and Janet to do some early gift purchases for the new grandbaby in our family.
God Bless take care of your self and tell my son that I am proud of him and Love him and you!
Dad Gatseos/ George/ Papouli/ whatever you want to call me.

Heather Baker (my aunt):
Hi Tara,
As I already told you in September the baby will be a girl. I'll be watching the blog for pink. (email, email...)Have fun at the ultrasound get some good pictures of "her"
Heather

Chantalle (friend):
I'm sooo excited for you. Finding out the sex and seeing your baby on the ultra sound was one of the most exciting times for me while I was pregnant...next to the birth!! I can't believe you are already at the half way mark, I hope it goes quickly for you..mine felt like centuries:) Love you lots and your in my prayers!
Chantalle
p.s. My vote is a boy:)

Facebook Comments:
Dillon Sullivan: girl
Taylor Sturm I agree... Girl. haha!
Valerie Menger Stow boy
Daleyne Carpenter what has the heart rate been???
Jane Burgchardt Boy.
Justin Kim Bates Girl
Krystal Young I vote boy, so my little guy has another friend to play with, although he'll be a good boyfriend to a cute little girl as well. I still vote boy! Good luck, I wish you little uncrossed legs =)
Allysha Baker i vote boy! Even though a girl would be nice.
Dianna Jensen Jensen It's a BOY!!!!
Shirley Fenn A girl, just like you.
Lavelle Burson Well it's a girl...or a boy! only God knows until Thursday!! But I will go with a girl!
Bethany Schaffer I'm going to go with a GIRL :) :) :) ..... Can't wait to find out!
Allison Blevins I think a girl.
Shirley Fenn Baby Girl clothes are the cutest.
Mary Mize I think a cute little girl. How exciting !
Lori Ruiz I think it is time for a boy!
Martha J DeBruin OK, grandma thinks it's a girl, but either is great with me!

So far (and this is only people who have written me - other people have told me in person - can't recall everyone's vote, but probably more girl votes!):
Boy - 8
Girl - 11

Well, we'll (HOPEFULLY!)see tomorrow!

OH!! I should add that I kindof maybe possibly think it's a Girl, and G kindof maybe possibly thinks it's a Boy! Battle of the sexes!!!

19 Weeks - Almost Half Way!

Your pregnancy: 19 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

Better Sleep

Well, G and I had the marriage retreat this weekend, and the beds at the hotel were soooo comfortable, and the rooms were dark, and I slept overall pretty good! So I'm feeling better. The extra hour of sleep really helped too, and the new 'clock' is nice as my body was starting to get tired later, and therefore I was sleeping later. Thank you time change! Don't forget to put your opinion on the 'sex of the baby' poll below! We find out SOON!!! If you can't comment on blogger (don't have an account), just shoot me an email what you think, or shoot me a facebook message or comment! I'll post it on here! Hope everyone's well!

Ugh - Pregnancy Woes

So last night was rough. I officially can't lay on my stomach or back, and though I like sleeping on my sides, it's getting old. I am constantly paranoid that I will end up on my back, so I wake myself up (it's not a HUGE deal yet, but it's still not a good idea). And for the last week I've been waking up really early (like 4:00,5:00, or 6:00), and not really being able to fall back asleep. I'm really tired, but just can't seem to shut down. It's really started affecting me the last 3 days - I've been deep in my pores tired, and it even affects my quality of life a little (I know this feeling well from when I used to have insomnia). I felt like it was just a phase, but I'm starting to wonder. And on top of that, I've been feeling stretching sensations - last night they were fairly strong, and prevented me from sleeping well. It's like that feeling when you eat a lot the night before you go to bed, and your stomach feels stretched in the morning - a mild cramping feeling (or when you don't eat a lot and your stomach feels like it's shrinking). I also started feeling it a LITTLE around into my back. Ugh. I think this is one of the worst I've felt so far in my pregnancy. I know that it's only going to get worse, as far as discomfort sleeping, and I need to just deal with it and get on with my life! It just stinks because the lack of sleep really does magnify every little symptom so much. I have just hardly been hungry at all - have to force myself to eat - and it's supposed to be the opposite right now. I hope nothing is wrong. I'm attributing the lack of hunger to my irregularity and my lack of sleep (lack of sleep always makes me lose my appetite). Anyway, just thought I'd share because that's what I'm going through right now.

Sex of the Baby Poll

Well, since we're getting pretty close to finding out what the sex of the baby is (if it cooperates!!!), I would like to start a poll of what YOU think it is!!!! Just for fun (unless some of you are psychic?!!! - Just kidding!). Post your comment on this post, and put what you think it is!!!

Flutters????!!!!!!

I'm not sure at all, but I think I MIGHT have felt some very SLIGHT fluttering (ie: kicks!!!!) on Monday night and Tuesday morning!!!!! I don't know for sure, as I don't really know what I'm feeling for, but it felt the way I've heard it described. It COULD have been my digestive tract finally waking up a little bit (as I have been irregular and therefore not hungry AT ALL for the last few days), but it COULD have been kicking! I was sitting on the couch on my laptop, and all of a sudden I felt it! I immediately told G, and I think he was pretty excited because until he can actually feel the baby kicking, it has been a little surreal to him (he's not in my body, feeling the changes I'm feeling!). I really look forward to the day when G can feel the baby kick, and I can feel it for sure, and stronger!

18 Weeks Already!!!!

Your pregnancy: 18 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.


How your life's changing:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!